CBD oil (or cannabidiol oil) is a so-called mood boosting oil that is popping up in all forms: food products, supplements, lotions, and so on. It touts a slew of therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and even anti-epileptic properties.
For those of you suffering from anxiety or chronic pain, this could be a wonderful solution especially if other approaches and modalities aren’t providing the results you want. Living with these struggles can be a constant battle–affecting your mood, your social life, even your ability to enjoy the little things. If your current methods aren’t helping, or you are simply trying to cope with anxiety, chronic pain, or other issues on your own, this is may be worth a try…
So, what exactly is CBD oil, and what are the healing benefits of trying it? It is all the rage in the health and wellness world. Has the wellness world gone crazy, or is this a viable solution for certain health ailments?
I just spent a week in California (where CBD oil is legal in both forms), and spent some time researching its benefits.
Botany 101:
CBD is derived from two varieties of the cannabis plant: hemp and marijuana. The major difference between marijuana and hemp is the levels of THC. THC, like CBD, is a cannabinoid compound (there are actually 60 different cannabinoids, but THC is the most famous one). CBD oil that comes from hemp is derived from the large stalks and bark of the plant, and has very little or no traces of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). THC is the psychoactive chemical that causes that high, mind altering effect from smoking pot. The higher the level of THC, the more psychoactive the effects. The ratio of CBD to THC in hemp oil can vary depending on the product. Many have no THC, while others have small amounts. These products are always labelled clearly with the ratio of THC to CBD, or if there is no THC, it will indicate 100% CBD.
CBD touts a slew of therapeutic benefits, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-anxiety, and even anti-epileptic properties.
CBD oil from marijuana comes from the bud and flowering part of the plant, and contains larger amounts of THC.
CBD oil from marijuana is legal in certain states – including California, Colorado, and Oregon – whereas CBD oil from hemp is legal across the U.S. and can be grown and shipped anywhere because it is not considered a drug. CBD oil from hemp is very different from hemp seed oil, so do not get confused when purchasing hemp seed oil for cooking. If you live outside the 3 states where CBD oil from marijuana is legal, you can consult with a doctor to see if CBD would work well for you. Your doctor will take into consideration any other medications that may interfere with CBD, especially if you are taking blood thinners, antipsychotic medications, or epilepsy medications.
According to MedMen,“We know that marijuana is incredibly useful for any sort of chronic pain. When cannabis is smoked or ingested, it can help to reduce neuropathic pain, which is particularly helpful for cancer patients. CBD-centric products have been known to help reduce inflammation, working to relieve pain for those with lupus, arthritis, and other autoimmune diseases – particularly helping to induce sleep for those patients who have pain that gets in the way of scoring some shut eye.”
According to a study discussed in the Harvard Health Blog, patients experience“many benefits of CBD, from relieving insomnia, anxiety, spasticity, and pain to treating potentially life-threatening conditions such as epilepsy.”
Benefits of CBD Oil From Hemp:
Research is continuing to grow about the benefits and effects of CBD, but here is what many experts in the field of study now know:
1. Relief of Chronic Pain – CBD oil can offer pain relief, and can even prevent nervous system degeneration. CBD oil from hemp does not cause dependence or tolerance, so it is a great option for anyone suffering from pain that is worried about becoming addicted to pain killers.
2. Reduces Anxiety and Depression – Studies have shown that CBD can reduce levels of anxiety and stress from those suffering from PTSD, social anxiety disorder, and obsessive compulsive disorder.
3. Treatment for Epilepsy – Studies have shown that CBD is effective in helping treat drug- resistent children who have epilepsy. The FDA approved a CBD medication for treating epilepsy: “The drug, Epidiolex, would be administered in a syrup form and is made from a purified ingredient in cannabis called cannabidiol, or CBD. It is intended to treat severe seizures in children caused by rare forms of epilepsy called Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet syndromes.”
4. May Help Fight Cancer – Studies show that it may inhibit the growth and progression of breast cancer cells, as well as act as a therapeutic agent for leukemia.
5. Supports a Healthy Heart – Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. CBD has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, and has antioxidant properties that support vasodilation, which reduces tension in the blood vessel walls.
6. Reduces Inflammation: Inflammation contributes to many diseases such as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, auto-immune diseases, etc. While I always promote a low inflammatory diet for many of my clients struggling with these issues,CBD oil can bring some relief to these patients in their healing process.
Healing You:
Healing your body and feeling your best is usually more involved than one “quick fix”–instead, it’s about maintaining physical and mental health through a range of practices, including your diet, getting enough sleep, exercise (as you are able), supplements, meditation, and so on.
These things all work in tandem, and because we’re all a bit different, we have to find the combination of healthy habits that works on an individual level. Still, there are proven benefits of anti-inflammatory foods, getting enough rest, drinking enough water, and all of those “standard” practices for living a healthy, happy life.
CBD has been shown to be anti-inflammatory, and has antioxidant properties that support vasodilation, which reduces tension in the blood vessel walls.
In my experience, CBD oil helped reduce my occasional anxiety, and definitely helped with some chronic pain–but I didn’t see results right away. It took some time, but it certainly worked for me…
The point here is to keep trying. You aren’t alone, and relief is out there. Make sure you’re taking care of yourself, and making smart choices about diet, rest, etc.–but if your anxiety persists, if your chronic pain doesn’t go away, maybe it’s time to try CBD oil! Of course, I always suggest consulting your doctor before starting any new supplements.
Where Can I Buy CBD Oil?
You can find CBD oil from hemp anywhere – online or in stores – but you want to make sure it is sustainably sourced. There are a variety of ways to take it:
1.Lotions
2.Sprays
3.Gels
4.Food products: chocolate, cookies, gummies
5.Sprays
6.Capsules
7.Supplements
8.Oils
I would begin by taking the recommended dosage on the packaging, which is usually around 10mg. Some people notice a change immediately, while others do not notice improvement for several weeks. As with anything, I always suggest talking with your doctor before starting any new supplement to ensure it does not interact negatively with other supplements and medications you may be taking.
I researched various companies when I was in California, and found these to be some of my favorites:
- Charlotte’s Web by the Stanley Brothers:
Their products contain flavanoids as well as fatty compounds that are key players in normal immune and central nervous function. They also contain terpenes, which are fragrant oils found in plants that have many health benefits. I like to use the oil, put a drop in my matcha latte in the morning, or add it to my energy balls.
2. This is NOT Pot
These chocolate hearts are a calming combination of CBD, mood boosting raw cacao, and the adaptogen ashwagandha to help combat stress.
Each stick contains about 20mg of CBD, and there are no traces of THC. This is actually a higher dose of CBD, as most products contain between 3 and 10mg per serving. I would recommend not using the full stick at first to see how you react. I add it to my smoothies, tea or matcha lattes.
Bottom Line:
Now, I’m not necessarily telling you to run out and buy this stuff right now, or making any huge promises about the results you’ll see. Instead, I’m encouraging you to explore CBD oil as an option. If other things aren’t working, there’s no reason to suffer needlessly. This could be the remedy you’ve been searching for, and you owe it to yourself totry this increasingly popular -and available–product.
I’d love to hear about your thoughts!
Sending Love and Light,
Melissa Akopiantz
